Managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) can often feel overwhelming, and this is especially true for children and their caregivers. That's where Case Western Reserve University is located. Diabetes Inspired Culinary Education (DICE) Research works, offering a new way to approach T1D care and education.
led katherine mcmanusThe study's principal investigator, DICE, who is also an assistant professor in the School of Medicine, aims to help families with children ages 8 to 14 who are considered to be at high risk due to poor blood sugar control. This study wasn't just about children. The whole family participates in an interactive and supportive environment aimed at promoting better T1D management.
A major factor in the success of this study was the contribution of CWRU students who served as DICE student research assistants. Students have a hands-on role in the program and help deliver engaging lessons in CWRU's 2,300-square-foot teaching kitchen. State-of-the-art facility opening in 2023.
customized approach
was funded by american diabetes associationThe DICE program is an evidence- and theory-based behavior change intervention that aims to set new standards in diabetes management.
“The whole family is involved and involved in the management of T1D,” McManus explained.
That philosophy is at the heart of DICE. Families are invited to bring up to three additional members to the program's educational sessions, reinforcing the idea that diabetes care is a shared responsibility.
The study followed a waitlist randomized controlled trial design to ensure that all participants benefit from the program. After initial data collection in February, families will be placed in either the spring intervention group or the summer waitlist control group.
“We thought it would be unethical to withhold educational programs from families assigned to the control group, so we designed the study to include everyone,” McManus said.
The study's first cohort will conclude in 2024, and DICE's second and final cohort is poised to begin in the coming months. Participants will participate in Rainbow Babies & Children's and Cleveland Clinic's Pediatric Diabetes Clinic, a partnership with the Michigan and Northern Ohio Chapters of Breakthrough T1D by Mail, and a T1D Walk and other T1D-focused events at the Cleveland Zoo. were recruited through community events such as Camp Ho Mita Koda through . .
Each cohort completes 10 lessons each week in CWRU's teaching kitchen. This lesson takes place during dinner time and provides an engaging combination of child-centered, caregiver-centered, and whole-family education.
learn by doing
The practical approach of this research is a distinguishing feature. Children are divided into two age groups and take part in interactive cooking lessons, learning skills such as cracking eggs, cutting vegetables and using a meat thermometer.
“Children prepare food that is eaten during family meals,” McManus said. “At the same time, they are learning about nutrition, type 11 diabetes management and food safety in a fun and hands-on way.”
While children cook, caregivers participate in discussion-based sessions led by a pediatric T1D specialist dietitian. They share experiences, discuss challenges and seek solutions together.
After separate sessions, the family comes together again to share the meal they helped prepare. Group meals serve as a practical demonstration of healthy eating while reinforcing lessons learned during sessions.
“We all go through the same things trying to manage TID in our children. It was really nice to have other parents to talk to about the challenges we face and how to overcome them.” said one parent in the cohort. “It was also good to see the kids open up to each other, because I know they sometimes have a hard time in school and other social situations.”
Impact beyond the kitchen
The benefits of this research extend beyond the lessons themselves. By integrating practical skills and education, DICE empowers families to permanently change the way they manage T1D and provides students with valuable experience in patient care, education, and community engagement. We aim to accumulate.
Participating in the DICE study was a transformative experience for Maggie Stolti, a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in public health nutrition. Mr. Stolti will be an undergraduate student on the DICE research team in 2024 and will continue in his role as a researcher during his graduate studies.
“Near the end of the first group, as I was preparing for next week's lesson, two young participants came up to me,” Storti recalls. “They would sit with me and watch me compile lesson plans, even begging to know what food I would be cooking next week. Before they left, one of them asked me to… I hugged her and said, “Thank you for making it so much fun.” I can't wait for next week. ” That moment reaffirmed that we were making a real difference. ”
As DICE prepares for its second cohort, McManus and her team are collecting data to evaluate the program's impact. One thing is already clear. DICE is changing lives by making diabetes care a family affair. That means one meal, one lesson, and one step at a time.